Hello
Gentle Reader
After
being delayed for months due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the International Booker
Prize judges announced that this year’s winner is the Dutch author: Marieke
Lucas Rijneveld, for the novel: “The Discomfort of Evening.”
“The
Discomfort of Evening,” is Rijneveld debut novel, previous she (or they) had only
published poetry, which was praised as striking new voice in Dutch Literature. “The
Discomfort of Evening,” has been a divisive choice by readers, with some praising
the decision to award such a visceral and brutal debut; while others looked at
it as showing immediate signs of being a debut, riddled with to many poetic flourishes
that awkwardly jar the narrative. Though the major bone of contention with the
decision is the narrative itself, a story of fundamental Protestantism
oppressively stalling the growth and development of a family, in the name of virtuosic
faith, moral pedigree, and virginal divine purity. All of which comes crashing
down at the premature death of a family member. Grief when not properly processed,
becomes a destructive force; and in this case, fuels the disparaging fantasies
of the narrator.
“The
Discomfort of Evening,” traces and recounts the disintegration of both the
family at the death of a young child; but also the collapse of the young
narrator who observers, participants, and devolves along with her family at the
premature death of her younger brother. “The Discomfort of Evening,” promises
to be an arresting and relentless read. On a slight side note: in winning the
award, Marieke Lucas Rijneveld is the youngest writer to receive the
International Booker Prize at the age of twenty-nine.
Personally,
I find the decision to award Marieke Lucas Rijneveld and her novel “The
Discomfort of Evening,” not surprising, but disappointing all the same. I had
higher hopes of Yōko Ogawa who is disturbingly underrepresented in the English
language. Her novel “The Memory Police,” is on my books to read, and appears to
be an exceptional treatise on memory, absence, and loss. Yōko Ogawa the
strongest writer on the shortlist, and this strength especially during these
changing and uncertain times due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the judges may have
shied away from the immediate relevance “The Memory Police,” maybe viewed in
this context. This still cannot ignore the fact that the novel (written well
before the pandemic originally) is fixated on the notion of memory, absence,
forgetting, and loss; themes which are timeless and written in crystalline and
elegant prose that move beyond the current context of the pandemic, but will reverberate
further as contemplation with regard to the act of remembering and recording,
to fend off the abyss of absence and loss. I don’t find I hold the same
perspective with Marieke Lucas Rijneveld novel “The Discomfort of Evening,”
which once again traces the tropes of the dysfunctional religious zealotry
family torn apart by grief.
At
least “The Adventures of China Iron,” didn’t win, there is some consolation in
that! Or perhaps I am just a curmudgeon when it comes to books that I just can’t
seem to get the point of? A historical recounting with a gender and sexual
fluid perspective? Once again it appeared to be some post-feminist/postmodern novel
that struck me as not worth the effort or the time.
Though
of the shortlist I will maintain the strongest writers and novels were: Yōko
Ogawa with her novel “The Memory Police,” and Fernanda Melchor with her novel “Hurricane
Season.”
Regardless
of my thoughts though; congratulations to Marieke Lucas Rijneveld.
Thank-you
For Reading Gentle Reader
Take
Care
And
As Always
Stay
Well Read
M.
Mary
Oh yeah, with so many seemingly strong contenders awarding this book, a debut novel that seems to show it, was quite a disappointment. I should add that along with your enthusiasm towards the Melchor novel and the Ogawa one, I’m entirely intent on reading Tyll.
ReplyDeleteOh and I’m so happy we share the same thought about China Iron. One of my literary pet peeves are those novels that are written out of a necessity to subvert a classic, show it in a new light, oftentimes a timely one...
I’m not sure if I’m reading the winning book, but those first three mentioned I’m definitely am.
Hello Gabriel,
DeleteIt does feel rather underwhelming to be honest. Though there is little that con be done with regards to the award, as "The Discomfort of the Evening," and its writer have taken this years prize. Ah yes, I forgot about "Tyll." It appeared to be one of those dark horses for this years prize; surely in great possession of literary weight, while also being historically niche. Though it would be no different then say: "Wolf Hall," or "Bringing Up the Bodies," by Hilary Mantel -- one needs only give it a chance and be amazed; or learn about history.
I haven't read: "The Adventures of China Iron," it just fails to come across as coherent or enticing enough for me to want to read. Like you said, it looks like the writer wanted to rewrite (or remix) a classic narrative, with a modern perspective. I find these novels are rarely successful.
I must admit: "The Memory Police," "Hurricane Season," and "Tyll," Are also on my to purchase and read list as well. Though that list keeps growing as of late!
I am glad that I am not the only who views this years winner as understated; and feel that the judges miss marked this year.